The Greenbrier and Harlem softball teams are looking to make their mark at the Columbus (Ga.) Softball Complex this week.

Both teams advanced to the Elite 8 in their respective state tournaments with doubleheader sweeps Wednesday night.

Harlem’s Lady Bulldogs took out Bleckley County 5-0, 10-1 in the second round of the Class AA State Softball Playoffs while Greenbrier outlasted Ola, 3-2 and 8-6, in the second round of the Class AAAAA State Softball Playoffs.

Both tournaments’ double-elimination events start Thursday and last until a champion is crowned Saturday.

Colleges have their basketball Midnight Madness, and according to the Georgia High School Association master calendar, the first day of high school winter sports is Monday. That’s when swimmers can take to the pool, while basketball and wrestling practice begins Oct. 29.

I guess the fall is coming to a close. I had to don a sweatshirt one night earlier this week.

By the time winter sports start, the only fall sport that will have decided its state champions is softball.

Houston County likely has had its fill of backup quarterbacks from Columbia County.

Earlier this season, Grovetown replaced starting quarterback Hunter Peace with Juwan Biggers prior to its matchup with the Bears. It was Biggers’ first start of the season and he was sensational. He torched Houston County’s defense for 253 yards and three touchdowns on just 14 carries.He also added an 89-yard kickoff return for another touchdown as Grovetown won a tight game 27-23.